HERO DUET 125 CC TO BE LAUNCHED THIS YEAR

Some of the largest-selling motorcycles in India are those motorcycles in the 100-125 cc segment and they form significant sales volume in rural areas. Apart from the service network and low running costs, the average two-wheeler buyer in this segment will almost always have fuel efficiency as a prime consideration whenever he wants to buy a motorcycle. Pick up, speed and the number of kms it can run using a particular amount of petrol are the core requirements of any buyer.

The country’s largest two-wheeler maker Hero MotoCorp has planned to launch at least five new models during this fiscal year. The latest manufacturer is likely to introduce 125 cc scooters at the Auto Expo 2018 with the Duet 125, which will thereby go on sale towards the end of this year. The 125 cc segment has gained a lot of momentum lately and the new Hero Duet 125 aims to tap into this potential area. With the new launches around the corner, the company hopes to gain market share by being present in more two-wheeler segments.

Duet 125 would have some of the following features which would act as a Unique Selling Point comparatively from the existing products in the market.

They are mostly going to comprise the stop-start system, I’m sure you might have seen them on a number of Hero Motocorp’s motorcycles. This will allow the system to switch off the engine automatically whenever the vehicle is lying idle for greater than a few seconds. But don’t panic! Turning the throttle will restart the engine seamlessly. I believe this technology will be one of the first features to be instilled in the scooter segment which will not only save fuel but lower emissions.

A combi-braking system will be a standard feature enabled, however, a disc brake will also be given and one can treat it as an option. Side stand indicator, the luggage compartment, cut cast wheels, mobile charging point, and service- due reminder are the various different features that the new scooters will come packed with. However, the Electric start will be standard.

Hero’s new scooters have been completely developed in-house at the company’s Centre of Innovation and Technology (CIT) in Jaipur with the maximum fuel capacity of 5.5 liters. This CVT automatic unit is expected to be priced around Rs 48,000.

The new launches are to come at a time when Hero has recovered market share in the scooter segment (13.8 percent in the fourth quarter of FY18 against 12.7 percent in Q4 of FY17). Hero is the third big player in scooters after TVS (which had a market share of 16.8 percent in Q4FY18) and Honda (55.7 percent share).

The 125 cc scooter segment has suddenly seen an overwhelming amount of offerings including the Honda Grazia, Suzuki Access 125 and Honda Activa, along with the newly launched offerings including the TVS NTorq 125 and Aprilia SR 125. Hero certainly wants its presence in the fast-growing segment.